New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-25
HIGH LICENSE IN MINNESOTA.

DECREASING TIE NUMBER OF sALooNs-LEsSEN-
ING THE AREA OF CRIMINAL DISTRICTS.
ST. PAUL, Sept. "a tSpeciat.-The Minnesota High
License law went into effect July l. and to-day inc
Pioneer Press printed the frat complete review OF tho
results OF the law based upon returns from every town.
city and township in the State The law provides that
the license for selling intoxicating liquors shall be
81 900 In all cities containing population OF 10000 or
more, and $500 In all cities the population OF which IS
less than 10000 1t imposes the severest penalties Tor
the violation OF any OF its mandates gives over to the
State authorities partial jurisdiction In matters per-
tanning to It's enforcement II is found that In tn ose
cities and towns in which the law is now enforced
there has been falling off Of onehrd In the ggregate
number Of saloons, while similar decrease is with good
predicted for those places where the old licenses
have not yet expired. In round numbers, OF looo
saloons which thriyed and h0urished under the ola
license 800 have been unable TO meet the advance
In Minneapolis the saloons have decreased in number
from 49, TO 227; In Duluth from l13 to "a; In Still
water from ~ to 49, and in Winona from 93 to 49, ST.
Paul il not as yet affected by the new law. The old
licenses for its 700 saloons do not expire until January
l. 1888 the license fee being 800 1t Is Thought tha
high license will reduce this number at least Oncthrd
probably Onchalf. Saloons which have renewed their
licenses under the law with those which dropped
last year paid average license fee OF $685. with
hgh license the average fee saloon is 6Ss Accord
ingly reduction Of onctrd in their number has been
obtained by the multiplying OF the license fec Tee 2Z3
saloons driven Of existence were, generally speak
ing. small ones and many of them hard places not
able exception numbers OF beer saloons cOnducted
by Germans whose propretors could not afford to meet
the advance Saloon keepers rule fear the law anu
appear ispOsed Ia live up To its mandates.
places started of expensive class 2G'i
have more al stake than before sunday sellinS, selling
to minors and habtna drunkards aud 2cc Closing are
reported rs greatly lessened. In tes cities saloons nj
distance from the business ceue have been cut OFF AMI
the result of this Capitalization has been 10 place those
still running us,icr closer police supervision. Bllnd
pigs " becoming a rarity, II IuOr dealers belhg
enaIy jealous the authorities In hunting them
down Many of the cities and towns report public ORDER
improved. In others there appears Ia be no perceptDe
difference Some Of tho opinion that drinking has
decreased while very many assert that drunkenness Is
greatly diminished. Generally speaking business III
the police courts, especially those OF the smaller cles
and does not appear to be nearly go Disk as ne
fore In the larger cities however the ccntrdhId0n Oh
saloons has had tendency to bring those who drink
to places where they more readily fa into the
clutch OF tile law. With reduction Of Onehd III me
number Of saloons has followed al Increase OF Onethri
in the amount OF pubic revenue derived thercIrOh.
Public sentiment is ported overwhelmingly IN FAVOR
OF the new law and high license.
People generally OF the opinion that experience Is
proving that high license embodes the best means oi
properly controlling and regulating the sale OF mo
eating liquors Opposition, when met Wltl' as ruls
from OF two classes the saloon element isell
which would naturally oppose the law, ana Prohibition
lists. who believe that high license Is hlndrancc 10 the
time OF no license